New Zealand rugby superstar Dan Carter is talking retirement but has ruled out a coaching role once he hangs up his boots.
The 35-year-old has another year left on his contract with Paris club Racing 92 and has opened up to French journalists after being cleared of any wrong doing amidst a doping investigation into his team's Top 14 title win last year.
It's been an uncomfortable spell for Carter who was caught drink-driving in Paris and had his form questioned as Racing's results dipped.
He says he's still enjoying his rugby but knows the end is "soon" and he's trying to get his head around what to do next
"When my career finishes, which is going to be soon unfortunately ... I wish I could play forever but it's not possible ... exactly what I'm going to do, I don't know yet. I'm trying to work out what I want to do," he told Le Parisien.
"I've always kind of steered away from coaching. I don't know why, I think they work harder than players, they work longer hours, and they're away from family just as much as a player if not more."
Carter, a double World Cup winner and trhee-time world player of the year, believes he has plenty to offer the game in other ways and, as one of the sport's most marketable players, indicated this could be a line for him to explore.
"I'm trying to work out now what I want to do, I love working with sponsors, ambassadors doing that work as a part of the game that I love," Carter told Le Parisien.
"The Important thing is that I'm still enjoying and loving my rugby so I want to continue to play for as long as I can but I have to start thinking what my life's going to be once I decide to retire and hang up my boots."
"I feel like I have a lot of rugby knowledge, through playing for so long. I feel like I have lots of knowledge and I'd love to be able to share that with younger players, with coaches, with whoever wants to listen."
In a subsequent interview with AFP, Carter said he wasn't experiencing any homesickness during his difficult year and was enjoying his time in France for rugby and cultural reasons.
"I've got a contract until the end of next season, I've got no thoughts about running back to New Zealand," he said.
"I'm more than happy here, I'm really enjoying living in France. The people have been extremely kind to me and my family. I no longer feel like a tourist, no longer feel as shy and like a new schoolboy as when I first arrived.
"I love travelling, visiting châteaux and historical landmarks that are older than my country New Zealand. I want to make the most of the experience living in this part of the world."
Carter's immediate goal is to get Racing 92 into the French playoffs and defend their title.
They lie sixth, which is right on the cutoff to be involved in the business end of the season, and face a crucial game against Toulouse this weekend
"It's the biggest game of our season," Carter told AFP.
"Our season depends on the result of this match. We are going to have to do something pretty special to come out with a win and keep our play-off hopes alive."
Carter spoke of the struggles Racing had endured this year but felt the team were determined to fight their way through.
"When the season started we were on a bit of a high after last year's success. So if you'd said before about all the things that were going to happen I wouldn't have believed you," Carter said.
"There were a lot of distractions, a lot of set backs. But one thing through all of this — we've stayed tight as a team, with a wonderful spirit. It goes to show the strength of characters we've got on the team."
Carter said he was starting to find his own form after being out with a leg injury.
"It's been three matches since I came back from injury, I was out for about six weeks in total," he told AFP.
"It takes a few games to get your rhythm and confidence back — I've felt like I've got better each of these three games.
"There have been a few distractions this year but that's all behind me. I'm just looking forward now, the focus is on the play-offs, I want to try and contribute to a huge game on Sunday."
Photo By: Getty Images (At the age of 35, Dan Carter knows time is running out on his glittering rugby career).